Nagpur:Atharva Taide had barely taken guard on Wednesday morning when the first murmur of dismissal rang out. At 9.29am, Akash Deep’s opening delivery – a length ball that straightened just enough – kissed past the edge and pegged back his off stump. Rest of India (ROI) had got what seemed like a dream start, until the umpire’s outstretched arm signalled a no-ball.Eight overs later, another close shave. This time the left-hander was caught on the crease to a fuller delivery, the caught-behind appeal rejected and Rest of India skipper Rajat Patidar choosing against a review. Replays showed an inside edge. Another edge from the left-hander almost carried to the first slip, but replays showed the ball being grassed before it was collected. Taide had had three lives before the clock had struck 11. In cricket, such generosity rarely goes unpunished. By stumps, Taide had turned his charmed morning into a day of substance, walking off unbeaten on 118, his grit having steered Vidarbha to 280 for five on the opening day of Irani Cup against RoI at VCA, Jamtha.For Vidarbha, Taide’s innings was intertwined with Yash Rathod’s 91 – a fourth-wicket partnership of 184 runs that transformed 80 for three into something resembling control. Their stand, full of balance and clarity, ensured Vidarbha ended the day with more than just a fighting chance. For the major part of the day, Taide’s poise stood in contrast to Rathod’s flourishes, but together they neutralised Rest of India’s momentum after Vidarbha won the toss and decided to bat.The morning, however, had belonged to Rajasthan’s left-arm spinner Manav Suthar. Fresh from a match-winning eight-for against Australia ‘A’, he struck twice in the same over to give ROI a grip. Dhruv Shorey was undone by one that spun past his bat, and in-form Danish Malewar fell moments later, feathering an edge to Ishan Kishan. With Shorey and Malewar departing in the 23rd over, Vidarbha were wobbling.But Rathod, touted as Vidarbha’s run machine, walked in with a sense of calmness. He had piled 374 runs in Duleep Trophy only weeks earlier, and picked up where he left off. Rathod’s strokes were fluent and unhurried – the cover drives stood out, each one timed to perfection. Six boundaries and a soaring six decorated his innings, the latter struck off Suthar in the 74th over.The flourish, however, proved his undoing. Eager to race to three figures before the new ball, he advanced again to the very next delivery, only to miscue into the waiting hands of Gurnoor Brar at mid-on. Rathod walked back in frustration, knowing his dismissal had cracked open a door for RoI.That door was pushed open further when Akshay Wadkar, Vidarbha’s skipper, fell cheaply to Akash. The seamer showed discipline and rhythm throughout the day. His dismissal of Wadkar, a faint edge carrying through to Kishan in the dying overs, capped a day where he had already prised out Aman Mokhade early.Even when the wickets tumbled, Taide did not flinch, shepherding the lower order alongside nightwatchman Yash Thakur till stumps.Vidarbha’s 280 for five may not yet guarantee supremacy, but it carries the stamp of their resilience. Taide will be the key again on Thursday morning.For RoI, Suthar’s 3 for 64 was the standout return, his ability to strike in clusters keeping the visitors invested. Akash Deep’s 2 for 35 framed the day neatly: one wicket at dawn, another at dusk.Brief scores: Vidarbha 280/5 (Atharva Taide 118*, Yash Rathod 91; Manav Suthar 3/64, Akash Deep 2/35) vs Rest of India.
